Category: Diary

1752 August 17 (Monday).  But a poorish Night, yet my wife tended me.  Wrote by Deacon Newton[1] to Dr. Scammell[2] [my wife wrote just before Day].  Ebenezer gets in the last of my Island Hay, and the Flax.  The Deacon carrys his Daughter Sarah to the Doctors.  Less pain a.m.  Eat something of Dinner.  N.B. Mr. Pierce of Stow his wife and Mrs. Martyn din’d here.  P.M. I was very full of pain in my right Knee.  N.B. In Deacon Newtons return from Dr. Scammell, I find the Doctor will have it that I have the Gout as well as Rheumatism.  Captain Maynard here at Evening.  Mrs. Lucy Bowker makes a Coat for Alexander gratis — and watches with me.

[1]Josiah Newton.

[2]Samuel Scammell, the physician of Milford.

1752 August 18 (Tuesday).  Another very feverish, Sweating, faint Night the last.  Several Neighbours to See me.  Somewhat freer of pain.  William Woods watches.

1752 August 19 (Wednesday).  The best night that I have had since I was Sick.  Blessed be God!  Sister Lydia and my Daughter Forbush here, din’d and Spent p.m. with us.  N.B. Mr. Abiel Richardson here.  Mr. Nurse a generous present of Salt Pork.  A great Frost abroad.  My pains shift from Limb to Limb.  John Frost watches.

1752 August 20 (Thursday).  A.M. pritty good night, but the Pain rises in my left Knee.  Several of our Neighbours go into Boston.  Divers Visitants, of persons in Town and otherwise.  P.M. Mr. Martyn he pray’d with me.  Mrs. Baker here — my wife discourses with her about Patty Pannells Tattle.  Ebenezer came and watches.

1752 August 21 (Friday).  Not so comfortable Night as lately.  My left Knee and Foot full of Pain.  I wrote to Dr. Scammell by Captain Tyler.[1]  Alas!  how dull and discouraging!  I am so wasted, that there appears to me Danger of consuming away.  But I would humbly confide in the infinite Goodness of God.  Thomas watches.

[1]Nathan Tyler of Mendon.

1752 August 22 (Saturday).  A pritty good Night for Sleep, and yet this morning full of pain chiefly in my left Hip, Shoulder and Foot.  Great Frost last Night.  Dr. Scammell came while I was at Dinner.  P.M. pains increase exceedingly especially in my left Shoulder.  May God almighty sustain me and prepare me for his sovereign Will.  My little Samuel a Twelve Month old.  May he be born again in the Blessed Spirit of God!  The Evening and night were most distressing with pain that ceased not, no not in any Situation whatever, a Circumstance which I have not, I think, at any Time had till now.  I put on a Blister upon the upper part of my arm — which by Divine favour gave me

1752 August 23 (Sunday).  By the Morning some Relief.  A portion of Rhubarb also which I took last Night works to Day, and I am easier of pain, but reduc’d to be very weak and faint.  A Melancholly Sabbath!  a Second Disappointment by Dr. Willson, whom I earnestly sent Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlin to, last Thursday, and had return by the Same on Friday Eve that he would certainly come unless some Case of Life or Death occurred.  But the people watch’d till it was late, and then some went to the North End etc. and some attended at the Meeting House the Deacons carrying on both a. and p.m.  N.B. they read Dr. Watts on Col. 3.3.[1]  N.B. Mr. Bradish pray’d with me in the Evening, and my Daughter Forbush watches.  It proves a Night of Fever, faintness and frequent waking.

[1][Additional note: “The Hidden Life of a Christian,” Sermon IX, X in Sermons on Various Subjects, Divine and Moral: with a Sacred Hymn Suited to Each Subject (5^th ed., 2 vols.; London: Printed for E. Matthews, R. Ford, and R. Hett, 1734), 1:175-225.]

1752 August 24 (Monday).  Freer of Pain, but very weak and feeble.  N.B. ventur’d to Shave not having been shav’d since my Confinement till now.  Rain.  Mr. Daniel Bond here, complaining of my son Ebenezer.  N.B. he went to Ebenezer last Saturday to warn him before Two Witnesses not to marry the person he was publish’d to.  Child carry’d away to be wean’d at t’other House.  Deacon Newton pray’d at Night.

1752 August 25 (Tuesday).  Last Night was exceeding tedious not for pains so much as Faintness, especially towards Morning I was exceeding low.  My Wife watch’d.  The forenoon was of apiece with the Morning.  My wife stills a miscellany of Meat, Herbs, Roots, seeds etc. by the Doctor’s Direction.  But my Eye and Heart are to God to Show Mercy.  Dr. Chase waits upon his Father here.  P.M. I was more lively and comfortable.  D.G.  Very free of pain — a better Evening and Night.

1752 August 26 (Wednesday).  My wife tends me o’nights and supply’s me with Breast-Milk.  Rain’d hard last night.  The Thumb of my left Hand seiz’d this morning.  We presently put on a Blister to my Wrist.  Days of deep Affliction and Distress, though now and then intervals of Comfort.  May the Lord look upon me and be gracious to me!  P.M. Captain Forbush and divers others here.  I sent for Justice Baker who came to confer with him about Sending to Mr. Minot[1] of Concord to come and preach next Lords Day.  My Hand grows much worse.

[1]Timothy Minot, schoolmaster and supply preacher.

1752 August 27 (Thursday).  So that I had a Night of grevious Trouble and Exercise till the Morning.  My Hand somewhat easier in the Day, and I was more comfortable and lively.  But these days are Days of Darkness and sorrow.  Mrs. Molly Brigham (Gershom’s wife) brought some bak’d Bear with Sauce which I could Eat of though I have a more deprav’d appetite and have eaten next to no Meat these Two Days.  Mr. Baxter visits me and pray’d with me.  He tells me Noah Hows has been with him about his Baptism.  Mrs. Hepzibah Maynard visits me.  A.M. Mrs. Rachael Rice and her son Abners Wife here, but no particular Notice was taken of the latter one way nor another.  At Night my Hand still very sore and much swell’d, yet not so as to prevent my sleeping.  But a Blister a little below my Knee has more prevented my walking in the room, thereat almost any Time of late.

1752 August 28 (Friday).  Somewhat broke off my Rest by Company too late here last Evening.  Yet the Day was not very bad.  Walk but little because of my Blister aforesaid in my left Hand remains much swell’d, but not very painful.  Mrs. Dolly Rice here, and nigh Eve came my Daughter Forbush and sister Lydia and lodge here.

1752 August 29 (Saturday).  A very good Night last, for sleep.  D.G.  Yet its followed with a Day of faintness.  Mr. Beeton carrys a Letter for me directed to Lieutenant Taylor[1] of Townshend.  Mr. Joseph Woods din’d here.  Towards Night sister Lydia and my Daughter went back.

[1]Daniel Taylor.  See Ithamar B. Sawtelle, History of the Town of Townsend (Fitchburg, 1878), pp. 154-155.

1752 August 30 (Sunday).  Another tolerable Night for sleep, yet remain faint and weak only my appetite is Somewhat better.  I am humbly waiting the will of God.  But it is Another Melancholly, sorrowful Sabbath.  A meeting is held at the Meeting House, but few attend it.  The School-Master, Mr. Jonathan Ward reads a. and p.m.  Dr. Watts on Ps. 42.2.[1]  At Dinner we had Deacon Forbush and old Mr. Bradish.  At Eve Mr. Eliezer Rice desirous of Dr. Scammell (if he Should come here) for his Young Child.  The Nights are Cold and frosty.

[1][Additional Note: “Appearing before God,” Sermon XIII, XIV in Sermons on Various Subjects, Divine and Moral: with a Sacred Hymn Suited to Each Subject (5^th ed., 2 vols.; London: Printed for E. Matthews, R. Ford, and R. Hett, 1734), 1:267-322.]

1752 August 31 (Monday).  I had a very Good Night — but am weak and faint in the Day.  Kind Letter from the Reverend Brother Morse[1] recommending a Remedy which he had taken with Success.  Mr. Francis Whipple tells me he publish’d my son yesterday at the North Meeting House.  Thus have I been carry’d through this Month of deep and distressing Sickness and Pain.  May it please God to engage my whole Soul in holy Gratitude and Praise to Him who has been my only Saviour, my Refuge and Support!  And might it please him to perfect the begun Mercy in my thorow Restoration and Recovery!

[1]Ebenezer Morse of Boylston.

1752 September 1 (Tuesday).  I have Somewhat comfortable Nights, and my Appetite is somewhat reviv’d, yet I am faint and weak, and have an inward Fever attending me, I suppose continually.  I humbly wait the Divine Will.  I am inform’d that divers Bears are about, and that one lay in my Field at the other Place lately, and has done Damage in the Corn.

1752 September 2 (Wednesday).  Somewhat dull and heavy.  Yet Mr. Stone and his Wife and Mr. Forbush from Brookfield and my Daughter, were here to see me and din’d with me.  Near Night came Dr. Willson and Deacon Burnap from Hopkinton to see me also.  Little Samuel brought home from Weaning.

[There are no entries dated September 3 to September 13, 1752 because of the change in the calendar.]

1752 September 14 (Thursday).  I remain feeble, yet I hope recruiting by slow Degrees.  Mr. Forbush Studys here to Day, being about his preparations for the Sabbath — Billy has been about the Stalks, which he having cut, he is gathering and Piking as he is able.  By Reason of the late Frosts the Bushes are so Brown’d that the Year is advanc’d into the Fall even more than in proportion to the alteration of the Date.  Rain at Evening.

1752 September 15 (Friday).  Mr. Forbush takes Leave and goes to Brookfield, appointing to return 4 Weeks from next Monday.  P.M. Mr. Martyn here and Mrs. Winchester.  At Eve I wrote a Letter to Dr. Scammell, Deacon Newton the Bearer.

1752 September 16 (Saturday).  This being the 51st Day in Old Style I would consider as being my Birth Day; and Bless God who has so wonderfully preserv’d me, and graciously born with me through such a long Space as 49 Years.  Vide Natalitia.

 

[Under the date of September 5, 1752 the following appears in the Natalitia.]

 

I attended in Some poor, broken manner upon like Exercises with those which have been wont to employ me on these Days.  But am now under the holy Frowns of a righteous God afflicting and chastizing me by the Remains of illness, pains and weakness, which may it please God to Sanctifie and remove!  And Blessed be His glorious Name, that in the Midst of Wrath he has remembered Mercy; and that I am in Some Measure reliev’d and hope I am in a Way of Recovery.  If it shall please Him to restore me to His service, May my Life be devoted to Him and to His Glory at another Rate than ever heretofore!  But desire humbly to yield myself to the Sovereign Will and Pleasure of the most high!  I will, by his Grace enabling Me thereto bear the Indignation of the Lord for I have sinn’d against Him.

 

[The entry for September 16, 1752 continued in the diary.]

 

My Thumb on my left Hand begins to be in Pain; and it increas’d more and more.  P.M. Mr. Joseph Manning comes from Concord and informs me that Mr. Minot, to whom I sent to preach for me tomorrow cannot come, it being Sacrament Day there.  Deacon Newton brings me Directions and a little vial from Dr. Scammell.

1752 September 17 (Sunday).  Nobody to preach Still.  How Melancholly, how Solitary!  They read at the Meeting House Dr. Watts on Rom. 1.16.[1]  Mrs. Tainter and Mary Biglo dine here.  My hand exceeding full of Pain.  At Night I put on a (Ninth) Blister.

[1][Additional note: “A Rational Defence of the Gospel,” Sermon XV, XVI, XVII in Sermons on Various Subjects, Divine and Moral: with a Sacred Hymn Suited to Each Subject (5^th ed., 2 vols.; London: Printed for E. Matthews, R. Ford, and R. Hett, 1734), 1:302-58.]

1752 September 18 (Monday).  My Hand much easier.  D.G.  Young Mr. Minot and Mrs. Bekky Hall[1] dine here, in their Return to Sutton.  As did Mr. Daniel Forbush who is laying the Front Door Stone.  P.M. I wrote to the Reverend Mr. Haven of Portsmouth concerning my Townshend Interest — sent it per Mr. Joseph Manning.  Ensign Millers Wife here.

[1]Rebecca was the daughter of the Reverend David Hall of Sutton.

1752 September 19 (Tuesday).  Ebenezer waits upon his Aunt Lydia to Cambridge in Sergeant Maynard[1] of Shrewsbury’s Chair.  Mr. Manning with them.  Mr. Wellman[2] din’d here.  Billy goes to t’other House to take Care of Things and Creatures etc. there.  Mr. Samuel Morris of Dudley here.

[1]Simon Maynard was one of the founders of the Shrewsbury Church.

[2]The Reverend James Wellman of Millbury.

1752 September 20 (Wednesday).  The Weather being clear and Warm I ventur’d to walk out abroad; and the air was balmy and refreshing.  Blessed be God for His great Goodness to me in raising me from so low and afflicted a State to so much Ease and Comfort.

1752 September 21 (Thursday).  My Wife went over to t’other House.  The Reverend Mr. Price of Hopkinton now from Worcester, here, to make me an offer about Books of his I had Spoke to him of; but he spent the Chief of his Time with me in vindicating the Church of England.  At Eve Mr. Newton — and divers others here to see me.  Mr. Winchester brought a kind Letter from my Brother Samuel Parkman and several Presents, therewith.  I walk’d abroad again.

1752 September 22 (Friday).  My son Ebenezer came up from Watertown last Night and brought his Bride, Mrs. Elizabeth Harrington, the Daughter of Mr. Joseph Harrington of Watertown, with him, for they were marry’d yesterday p.m., and Mr. John Rogers came with the Team loaded with her Goods.  May God please to make ‘em an happy pair!  A.M. Mr. Samuel Harrington being here I took the Opportunity to ride a few Rods on his Horse.  P.M. Thomas came with a Chair and drove me over to See the New-Married and I din’d with them.  He also brought me back before Night; so that I receiv’d no harm as I hope.

1752 September 23 (Saturday).  One Smith of Medfield here, enquiring about the Remedy for Cancers, his Father in Law, one Mr. Hammond having one, which has already destroyed one of his Eyes and now eats his Cheek.  Wrote to Mr. Martyn to preach here tomorrow if Mr. Frink[1] preaches for him.  The return was that he must preach at Marlborough.  I wrote also to Mr. Cushing having been inform’d that Mr. Swan[2] is to preach for him: the return was that tomorrow will be their Sacrament, but that he will not prevent Mr. Swans coming to us.  Billy brought over divers of our Goods from t’other House.

[1]Thomas Frink of Rutland.

[2]Josiah Swan, formerly the minister of Dunstable, and now a schoolmaster of Lancaster.

1752 September 24 (Sunday).  Through the great Goodness of God to me I went to His House, and was enabled to perform divine service both a. and p.m. but omitted Reading: I preach’d a.m. on Mic. 7.9.  P.M. (my son Ebenezer appearing Bridegroom) I preach’d a.m. on 1 Chron. 29.19.[1]  Nor was I at Eve Extremely overcome.  Blessed by God for His great Goodness and Mercy to me!  O that I might never forget His Benefits!  and might it please Him to perfect the recovery — that the Soul may be restor’d and have Eternal Life.  N.B. Mr. John Martyn junior din’d with us.

[1][Additional note: 1 Chron. 29.19, “And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.”]

1752 September 25 (Monday).  I am not any thing (apparently) worse for the Exercise Yesterday: but my Knees are still weak, and my Left Hand is not without some Pain and stiffness.  Noah Hardy came to plough my Stubble at the Island: but Billy was so late in bringing the Team from t’other House that they did little in the forenoon.  P.M. they kept to the Work.  The School has been kept several Days at Mr. Eliezer Rice’s.

1752 September 26 (Tuesday).  It is in General a very dry Time: very little Water in our Well — but there were considerable Showers of Rain last Night.  P.M. Deacon Newton here and gives me a distinct account of their late proceedings at the Superior Court.

1752 September 27 (Wednesday).  Bears are rife about: another is kill’d in Town.  As to myself, I hope I gather Strength in the Main, but it is Slowly.  I can read and write longer than I could a while agoe.  I desire to be heartily thankful to God for us.  May I have the Grace to make a due Improvement of it!  I almost daily endeavour something in my Preparations for the Sabbath.  Billy goes to Mill to Captain Drurys.[1]  Write to my Brothers.  P.M. Mr. Winchester.

[1]Thomas Drury of Grafton.

1752 September 28 (Thursday).  Constantine Hardy ploughs with my Team the rest of my Field at Cook Island.  At Eve Mr. Samuel Harrington here, and acquaints me that he has brought home one of the three young Cattle that were turn’d into the Woods last Spring.  The other two are missing, viz. a Three Year old Heifer and a Two Year old.  They were under the care of one Mr. John Curtis of Leicester, upper part.

1752 September 29 (Friday).  A Number of men were here who had been hunting Bears which they See the Tracks of in many places about us.  Mrs. Hephzibah Maynard to see me.

1752 September 30 (Saturday).  I feel Some pains in my left Shoulder, and Hand, and my Knees are weak.  After a considerable Drought there comes a great and plentifull Rain.